Buzbee, Evans, Peters and Zarkoskie named football captains

May 03, 2012

Alan Buzbee

Matt Evans

Dontra Peters

Chris Zarkoskie

DURHAM, N.H. – University of New Hampshire head football coach Sean McDonnell announced Thursday that seniors Alan Buzbee (Chester, N.J.), Matt Evans (Hanover, Mass.), Dontra Peters (Annapolis, Md.) and Chris Zarkoskie (West Caldwell, N.J.) will serve as captains for the 2012 season. The quartet was selected as the result of a team vote.

Buzbee ranked third on the team with 88 tackles in 2011. The 6-foot-3, 238-pound middle linebacker recorded six tackles for loss, one sack, one interception and tied for the squad lead with five pass breakups.

Evans won the Buck Buchanan Award as the Football Championship Subdivision national defensive player of the year last season. The 6-foot, 226-pound MLB led the nation with 7.67 tackles/game and ranked second in the FCS with 165 total tackles, the second-most in UNH history. In addition, he was named a Walter Camp Football Foundation All-American, The Sports Network/Fathead.com All-America, College Sports Madness All-American, Phil Steele's All-America, Beyond Sports Network National Defensive Player of the Year and the Gold Helmet Award winner as New England's player of the year.

Peters paced the Wildcats' running attack in '11 with a team-leading 595 rushing yards on 117 carries; he averaged 5.1 yards/rush and notched seven touchdowns in 11 games. The 5-foot-11, 197-pound kick-returner ranked third in the CAA with 24.6 yards/return and was second in the league with 139.4 all-purpose yards/game.

Zarkoskie served as the starting left guard one season after starting every game at center. The 6-foot-1, 286-pound offensive lineman is a two-time member of the CAA Academic All-Conference Team, has twice garnered the CAA Commissioner's Academic Award and was tabbed to the 2011 FCS ADA Academic All-Star Team and the Capital One Academic All-District Team.

The Wildcats close out spring camp with the annual Blue-White Game on Saturday (12:30 p.m.) at Cowell Stadium when the offense challenges the defense using a modified scoring system. Admission to the game is free.

Prior to the game, McDonnell will present the second annual Todd Walker Teammate Award to a student-athlete in recognition of selflessness and dedication as the ideal teammate. The 11 a.m. ceremony will take place at the swamp maple tree planted in memory of Walker last spring at the Walk of Memory in front of the Field House. The honored player will wear Todd's uniform No. 80 during the Blue-White Game.

To purchase 2012 UNH football season and individual game tickets, visit www.unhwildcats.com or call (603) 862-4000, extension 5.